Would you consider this photo be a desecration of the American Flag?

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   baybpnkposted 9 years ago

   Would you consider this photo be a desecration of the American Flag?
   
   This photo was meant to represent the reasons this U.S. Navy Seaman fights for our country- freedom, strength, and his family- his child. What do you think of this photo? Personally, I love this photo and I think it is beautiful. Recently, it and the photographer (a female Navy Seaman), have come under fire by people throwing accusations that this photo is a disgrace to the American Flag and should not be allowed. What are your thoughts?
   
   

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   RTalloniposted 9 years ago

   Though I believe that technically this would be considered a violation of USA's flag etiquette/code, I'm would give the benefit of the doubt and say that before judging we might consider that the cloth used could be a representation of the flag and not a true flag, particularly because the person holding it is represented as a member of the military.  Though a picture does say a thousand words, the question of whether those words are true hangs in the air.

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      baybpnkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I venture to say that even if it is a flag, go ahead and wrap that military child in my American flag. They are forced to give up so much of their military parent for government use, and we should all appreciate their struggle as a military family!!

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   lisavollrathposted 9 years ago

   There is a long tradition of using the American flag in photography and fashion. Was the popular photo series of Pamela Anderson wrapped in the American flag a desecration? Was Katie Perry's flag dress a desecration? Are the numerous variations of the American flag shirt in Western wear desecrations? Or are they patriotic?
   
   I think people might be too quick to be offended. It's just a piece of fabric. The way this photo is shot, it could be a flag. It could be a blanket. It could be anything. Mostly, it's a patriotic photo.

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      M. T. Dremerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Well said.

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      baybpnkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Lisa, very well said! It is a violation of the American Flag Etiquette/Code, but there is no punishment for that. Also, our flag has ACTUALLY been desecrated by real enemies, so I don't think the future of our own country (baby) is hurting it.

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   M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

   I've often thought that the rules surrounding the flag are too strict. I vaguely remember hearing, as a child, that you can't let the flag touch the ground, otherwise you have to destroy it. This then made a younger version of myself terrified when his little plastic flag from the fair fell on the bedroom floor. I have no idea if there is any truth to that or not, but I've also heard that there are very strict rules about when a flag can be displayed on the front of your house. In my mind, any display of the flag is a tribute. So long as the owner isn't burning it or using it as toilet paper, then we shouldn't worry about it. Especially a picture like this, which is so patriotic it hurts.

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      baybpnkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "So patriotic it hurts" I could not agree More with your words.

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   Angel Van Attaposted 9 years ago

   I love this photo. I think that it is a beautiful statement of love and patriotism. This photo shows what it is that our men and women of the armed forces fight for and this photo shows why we as citizens should truly respect our soldiers. They put so much on the line for us. They are mothers and fathers and they put their lives on the line to keep us safe, not only for our children, but at the expense of their own.

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      baybpnkposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, sometimes I think people forget that and our military becomes a faceless force that civillians know nothing about. Although civis are starting to gain more knowledge since so many in 14 years joined since 2001.

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